After trucking through writing that post about the Titans, it's refreshing to write about something positive. The Sixers won last night, which was a treat and even Hive is rising. Not bad, not bad.
Yesterday went well enough against the Hornets for the Sixers. Similar to the Pistons game where the Pistons didn't have Cunningham, the Hornets were also without their star LaMelo Ball. Again though the Sixers were also without Embiid, so that somewhat equaled out. The Sixers need to get any win they can get their hands on right about now. I don't care if the Sixers get a win over the Harlem Globetrotters at this point.
The Sixers DID have Paul George though, who had an outstanding game finally! His best game as a Sixer by far. George posted an impressive 29 points to go along with 8 assists. It's great to see him pull his weight considering his reputation and massive contract. The Sixers needed an influx of dominance like that finally. Maxey was very clutch as well in the fourth quarter to compliment George's performance. Guerschon Yabusele and Kelly Oubre Jr. also contributed nicely.
The game was in control for ninety-eight percent of the time, but the Sixers almost choked again, but ya know, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades and the way this season has gone, like I keep saying, I'll take any win the squad can get. The Sixers winning and NOT choking actually shows a fair level of improvement.
Nick Nurse has made some odd moves as a coach, like only playing the Eastern Conference's Rookie of the Month Jared McCain a whopping three minutes in the fourth quarter last night. But the Sixers won so I can't be too upset. Also, the Sixers just feel like a team that is truly winging it and just doing anything possible to stay afloat right about now. Learning and adapting on the go, getting to know the roster more and more. I actually see the logic a little bit too of not playing McCain, if I squint I guess. McCain has shown he is human, and he is still a rookie who is learning at the end of the day, an undersized rookie too. I suppose it's not a bad idea to rely on more established, experienced veterans and show those guys Nurse still has faith in their skills too. Also perhaps humble McCain in a VERY mild way and sort of express that McCain still has to get better. I think there is some wisdom there. ALSO, McCain is a rookie but it's not like he can't get injured simply because he is young. Not a bad idea to give him a smidge of rest too, in case MORE injuries occur.
The Sixers have a much harder task tonight in Philly though. They have beaten some softer teams these past two games but tonight the Magic are in town. Hopefully the Sixers have learned a thing or two by getting some wins under their belt. The Magic are good, but will be without star Poalo Banchero, while the Sixers are once again without Paul George OR Embiid.
It's nuts to me how many stars DON'T play these days. I can't even tell whose actually injured or resting anymore. Pretty weird. Pretty soft? Oh well, luckily the sport itself is still fun to watch.
The Sixers actually are set to play the Magic twice in a row here. They will face the Magic AGAIN on Friday. I think there's some benefits in playing a team back to back, I mean, playoffs are set up this way, and baseball always has at least two games in a row in the regular season, typically three, sometimes more. It will be interesting. In fact the Sixers will face the Hornets again fairly soon as well, back to back as well.
But yeah, it's one game at a time for the Sixers. Let's see what they can do!
